In early rugby as played at Rugby School, the only scores came from goals and there was no points value associated with scoring. The 1845 rules stated that in order to take a punt at goal (this had to be a ‘place kick’ not a’ drop kick’) a “TRY at goal” had to be earned by touching the ball down between the posts. The ball was then “punted” over the bar and between the posts without touching the dress or person of any player and in the face of onrushing defenders. The 1862 rules provide a detailed description of the complexities regarding touching down and scoring the goal.
1871
The first RFU laws state that ‘A match shall be decided by a majority of goals only’.
March 1875 a proposal for a points scoring system was rejected, as was a proposal that three tries should equal one goal.
November 1875 the law was modified to ‘A match shall be decided by a majority of goals, but if the number of goals is equal or no goals be kicked, by a majority of tries’.
1876
Cheltenham College adopted RFU rules but still continued to use their own points based scoring system (they referred to points as rouges).
1877
‘When a goal is kicked from a try, only the goal is scored’.
1881 & 1882
Proposals were made for the RFU to introduce a points based scoring system:
1881 (rejected):-“A match shall be decided by majority of points, which are calculated as follows – a touchdown, a touch in goal and a dead-ball all equal in value and each count one point; a try counts 4 points, and a goal kicked from a try 12 points or equal to three tries, and a goal dropped or kicked from the field of play 8 points or two tries. When a goal is kicked from a try the goal only is scored.”
1882 (rejected):-
“A match shall be decided by points as under: – A goal direct from a place kick from a try shall count 8 pts; A goal dropped from the field of play, 6 pts; A goal from a flying kick 4 points; a try 4 points; a touchdown, a dead ball, or a touch in goal, 1 point each. The team obtaining a majority of four more points to be declared the winner. Any less majority than 4 points to count as a drawn game.”
Prior to 1886 various clubs assigned their own points system. The practice of Touching down the ball behind your own goal line was awarded a Point, sometimes referred to as the “Minor Point” or “Rouge”. This should not be confused with the Cheltenham scoring system which referred to points in general as rouges.
Many football annuals of this vintage will show scores consisting of Goals, Tries and Minor points (rouges). Although there was no generally accepted scoring system which contained the minor point (rouge) some unions did adopt it.
But in 1886 a pattern favoured at Cheltenham School was adopted by the RFU, whereby points were scored for a try, a conversion goal and a dropped goal.
1886 (accepted):-“A match shall be decided by a majority of points, a goal shall equal three points, and a try one point. If the number of points be equal, or no goal kicked or try obtained, the match shall be drawn. Where a goal is kicked from a try the goal only is scored.”
Later penalty kicks were introduced, allowing teams disadvantaged by illegal play to kick for goal and score points if successful.
October 1888
“Fair catch” (mark) introduced. Laws amended to introduce 2nd type of goal (of lesser value). ‘A match shall be decided by a majority of points. A goal shall equal 3 points, with the exception of a goal kicked from a kick awarded by way of penalty, which shall equal 2 points, and a try 1 point. If the number of points is equal or no goals be kicked or try obtained, the match shall be drawn. When a goal is kicked from a try, the goal only is scored.’
September 1891
The IRFB responsible for: ‘A match shall be decided by a majority of points. A try shall equal 2 points, a penalty goal 3 points, a goal from a try (the try not also to count) 5 points. Any other goal shall equal 4 points. If the number of points is equal or no goal is kicked or try obtained, the match shall be drawn.’
March 1893
RFU & WRU raise try from two to three points. The value of the conversion is also changed from three to two points, meaning that the value of a converted try remains five points. IRFB adopt this scheme the following year.
March 1905
Field goal is abolished. ‘A try equals 3 points. A goal from a try (in which case the try shall not count) equals 5 points. A dropped goal (except from a mark or penalty kick) equals 4 points. Goal from a mark or penalty kick equals 3 points
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